Mythbuster #1 – “Bears that have lost their fear of people, are dangerous”

FROM OUR EXPERIENCE:

After decades of studying bears, well known author and bear behaviourist, Charlie Russell proved that most bears are born comfortable with us.

If our behaviours towards bears create fear in bears, then this could create unpredictable behaviours in some bears.

When we have so many examples of how FEAR = UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOURS in humans, why would we want bears to be fearful of us?

When members of our team at BearKind are guiding people to see bears or are photographing bears, or are simply enjoying the company of bears, we want the bears to be respectful (of distance boundaries for example), but never fearful. Giving bears space, understanding and paying attention to their behavioural cues are first steps in earning bears’ trust. When humans behave kindly, respectfully, and predictably, the bears feel safe and when bears feel safe, you are safe.

Photo: Mother Grizzly teaching her 4 month old cubs to eat grass… (Photo credit – Trish Boyum Nature Photography)